Abstract: A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper or non-woven products is provided. The apparatus includes a through air roll configured to rotate about a first axis, where the roll has a cylindrical surface having a plurality of openings configured for the flow of air there through. The apparatus also includes an air distribution tube positioned within the through air roll. The air distribution tube has a cylindrical surface, a first end, and a second end, and the cylindrical surface of the air distribution tube has a plurality of openings configured for the flow of air there through. The apparatus further includes a first adjustable deckle associated with the air distribution tube configured to alter the flow of air through the air distribution tube.

Abstract: A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper or non-woven products is provided. The apparatus includes a through air roll configured to rotate about a first axis, where the roll has a cylindrical surface having a plurality of openings configured for the flow of air there through. The apparatus also includes an air distribution tube positioned within the through air roll. The air distribution tube has a cylindrical surface, a first end, and a second end, and the cylindrical surface of the air distribution tube has a plurality of openings configured for the flow of air there through. The apparatus further includes a first adjustable deckle associated with the air distribution tube configured to alter the flow of air through the air distribution tube.

Abstract: A through-air apparatus for drying or bonding paper or non-woven products is provided. The apparatus includes a through air roll, a first tension plate configured to hold a wire sleeve which is configured to extend around the roll, the first tension plate including at least one tension arc segment. The apparatus also includes a first cam mechanism associated with the at least one tension arc segment, wherein the first cam mechanism is configured to move the tension arc segment to adjust the position of the tension arc segment relative to the outer circumference of the first end of the roll, so that as the roll and first tension plate rotate about the first axis, the first tension plate is concentric with the roll.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) or through air bonder (TAB). Some of the air output by the TAD/TAB may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired uniform temperature distribution. As heated air of the desired uniform temperature distribution is passed through ducting for transport to the material, the desired uniform temperature distribution deteriorates due to heat loss experienced at the walls of the ducting. Heating tape is implemented with respect to particular locations of ducting and selectively operated to maintain air traveling through the ducting at the desired uniform temperature distribution. Heat generated by the heating tape is used to counteract heat loss experienced by air traveling through the ducting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for the drying of permeable and semi-permeable webs such as paper products in a physical environment with limited space while providing for higher flow rates. The devices and methods of the present invention are for use with rotating, foraminous shelled roll dryers and are implemented by redesigning the aspects of the devices and methods associated with exhausting spent drying gas.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) or through air bonder (TAB). Some of the air output by the TAD/TAB may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired uniform temperature distribution. As heated air of the desired uniform temperature distribution is passed through ducting for transport to the material, the desired uniform temperature distribution deteriorates due to heat loss experienced at the walls of the ducting. Heating tape is implemented with respect to particular locations of ducting and selectively operated to maintain air traveling through the ducting at the desired uniform temperature distribution. Heat generated by the heating tape is used to counteract heat loss experienced by air traveling through the ducting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for drying or bonding materials are described. A material to be dried or bonded may be passed through a through air dryer (TAD) (or other dryer). Some of the air output by a TAD may be recirculated to be passed back through material. As the air is recirculated, it is heated and mixed to a desired temperature for drying or bonding. A separate hot air injection system may heat ambient air and/or air exhausted by the TAD and inject the heated air into the recirculated air.

Abstract: An apparatus (62) and method for supporting a web (22) of paper being transferred through a region (40) from the surface (26) of one moving component (24) of a papermachine (20) to the surface (30) of a subsequent moving component (28) of the papermachine utilizes an air-permeable sheet (70) and a blowbox (86) or Coanda air knives (38) supported adjacent the air-permeable sheet. The sheet is supportable in a stationary condition across so as to span at least a portion of the papermachine region through which the moving web of paper is transferred and adjacent one side (72) of the web, and the blowbox or Coanda air knives are used to move air away from the side (72) of the air-permeable sheet opposite the web so that as the web is moved through the papermachine region, the web is biased by atmospheric air pressure into contact with the air-permeable sheet and moves in sliding engagement therealong.

Abstract: A device and method for extending the useful life of a carrying fabric in a dryer by maintaining the edges of the fabric at a temperature below that at which thermal degradation occurs. This is achieved by applying a cooling liquid to the edges of the carrying fabric so that thermal energy can be transferred from the fabric to the liquid and thus maintain the edges of the fabric at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: An improved process and system for collecting and handling dust in a papermaking machine environment wherein dust-laden air is drawn into and moves along an elongated collector by way of a vacuum-generating source connected to the collector involves the introduction of water into the collector so that the introduced water becomes entrained by the dust-laden air moving through the collector and wet-scrubs the dust-laden air upon entering the collector. With the dust being wet-scrubbed upon exiting the collector, the likelihood of ductwork fouling is substantially eliminated, and the risk of fire in the ductwork downstream of the collector is appreciably reduced.

Abstract: A system (20) and associated process for use in the dryer section (18) of a papermachine for promoting complete support of the paper web (32) by the carrier fabric (34) as the fabric and web are transferred between adjacent drying cylinders (22, 24) by way of a turning roll (26) utilizes a blowbox assembly (50) positionable within the pocket region (40) bounded by the drying cylinders and the turning roll. The blowbox assembly is adapted to direct air out of the pocket region to reduce the likelihood of separation of the web from the carrier fabric as the web is moved onto and off of the turning roll.

Abstract: A process and system (60) for controlling the concentration of dust levels in a room (20) within which a paper-making, or finishing, machine (24) is housed involves a ventilation scheme which withdraws air from the room by way of ceiling vents (52) disposed generally above the tissue-making machine and directs fresh air into the room by way of inlet displacement modules (64) located adjacent the walls of the room which creates a moving wall of fresh air through the room. The flow of air being withdrawn from the room is coordinated with the flow of fresh air directed into the room so that a controlled air migration pattern is established and so that the fresh air displaces, rather than is diluted by, the room air. Along with this flow of room air, heat and humidity-generating vapors which are released by the tissue-making machine during operation are also pushed out of the room through the ceiling vents ahead of the fresh air.

Abstract: A doctor system (20) and an associated method for cleaning the moving surface (30) of a papermachine component (22) which is begrimed or wetted by a paper web (28) moved around the surface utilizes an air nozzle (54) supportable in a stationary condition adjacent the surface of the papermachine component for directing a stream of air in the form of a knife from a source generally toward the surface to dislodge grime and water from the surface. The system also includes a collection receptacle (68) positionable adjacent the nozzle for collecting grime and water which are dislodged from the surface by the air knife for disposal.

Abstract: An air-powered web slasher features a cylindrical housing having an interior chamber and a sidewall with a spiral groove machined into it. A piston slides within the interior chamber and has a slasher needle attached to it. The slasher needle protrudes through the spiral groove. A housing cap covers one end of the housing and pressurized air is supplied to the portion of the interior chamber between the housing cap and the piston so that the piston travels away from the housing cap. As a result, the needle travels along the spiral groove and thus up into and through a web of material, such as paper, to create a slash in the cross-machine direction. A turnup blow pipe provides air to the slasher. In addition, slits in the turnup blow pipe direct streams of air against the web in proximity to the slash so that the web is severed. The air streams then blow the newly severed end of the web onto an empty rotating spool.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for evaluating the degree of hydroenhancement achieved in a woven fabric. The degree of hydroenhancement is related to the permeability of the woven fabric (i.e., the permeability of the woven fabric will decrease as the hydroenhancement increases). The hydroenhanced fabric is pulled over a vacuum source (while a constant vacuum is maintained) and the air flow through the fabric is measured. The air flow per unit area of fabric is then calculated and defined as the permeability. Alternatively, the permeability can be calculated by maintaining a constant air flow and measuring the vacuum drop associated with the treated fabric. The degree of hydroenhancement may then be assessed as related to this permeability measurement.

Abstract: A combination blowbox/saveall system (20) and method for use in conjunction with a pick-up roll (22) of a papermachine (18) around which a carrier fabric (26) and running web (28) are moved in concert utilizes a blowbox section (40) for directing air from a source generally away from the surface of the carrier fabric opposite the web to reduce the likelihood of separation of the web from the carrier fabric and a saveall section (60) joined to the blowbox section in a single device. During operation of the system, at least a portion of the air which is directed away from the carrier fabric by the blowbox section for the purpose of preventing separation of the web and fabric downstream of the pick-up roll is used to dislodge water droplets (72) and other contaminants from the surface of the pick-up roll, and these droplets and contaminants are collected within the saveall section for disposal.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus for providing reciprocating hydroenhancement includes a pair of fabric spools with a hydroenhancement process disposed therebetween. The hydroenhancement process is configured to impart a minimal amount of hydroenhancement to the fabric passing therethrough and may comprise only a single vacuum roll and associated single hydroenhancement jet (other arrangements may use two or three of vacuum rolls and jets in order to provide controllable "front side" and "back side" treatments on a per pass basis). The fabric to be treated is loaded onto a first spool, passes through the hydroenhancement process and is thereafter taken up on the second spool. Once the entire length of fabric has been treated and loaded onto the second spool the process is reversed; the fabric is unwound from the second spool, treated a second time and re-loaded onto the first spool. The process is reversed once again, and a second "forward" treatment is imparted to the fabric. This "back and forth" (i.e.